Roundabout



- 2 Sheets-Sheet l. V. PETER. ROUNDABOUT.

(Np Model.)

Patented Aug. 11, 1891.

No.v 457,619.

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(No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet 2.

V. PETER. RoUNDABoUT.

110.4575619. Patented Aug. 11', 1891.

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UNITED STATES- PATENT OFFICE.

VICTOR PETER, OF VILLIAMSPORT, PENNSYLVANIA.

ROUNDABOUT.

.SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 457,619, dated Augustl1, 1891.

Application iiled December l2, 1890. Serial ITo.371l=,1i83.` (No model.)

.To all whom/ t muy concern:

Be it known that I, VICTOR PETER, a citizen of the United States, and aresident of iVilliamsport,in the county of Lycoming and State ofPennsylvania, have inventedcertain new and useful Improvements inCarrousels or Rouudabouts; and I do hereby declare that the following isa full, clear, and exact description of the invention, which will enableothers skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use thesame, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, which form apart of this specification.

Myinvention relates toiinprovemeuts in carrousels or roundabouts foraffording healthy and pleasant amusement for children and others.

The inventionis designed as an improvement upon that class of carrouselsor roundabouts which consist, essentially, of an annular frame in whichis journaled a series of wheels provided with seats, cranks, andtreadles, the wheels running in a grooved circular rail, theconstruction and arrangement being such that the wheels and the annularframe are revolved by the persons mounted upon the seats.

The object of the invent-ion is to improve the construction generally ofsuch apparatus, and also to provide a brake mechanism whereby therevolution of the wheels and the movement of the annular traine may bestopped when desired.

The invention consists in the novel construction and combination ofparts hereinafter fully described, and specifically pointed out in theclaim.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure lis a perspective view of acarrousel constructed according to my invention. Fig. 2 is a sideelevation of a portion of the annular trame, showing the wheels andbrake mechanism. Fig. 3 is a rear view of one of the wheels.

In the said drawings, the reference numeral 1 designates the track,which may be of wood or iron and is provided with a grooved face toreceive and guide the supporting and driving wheels.

The nu1neral2 designates an annular frame consisting of inner and outerbars connected together by means of cross-bars, so as to make it strongand rigid. At suitable intervals apart aremounted thesupportinganddrivingwheels so that they will run freely.

3,which are similar to ordinary bicycle-wheels, being provided withcranks 4, treadles 5, and seat 6. They are also provided with a handle 7for supporting the person carried by the wheel. The seat and handle aremounted upon a curved bar secured to the annular frame and located abovethe wheels, forming a shield which protects the person and apparel frominjury. The wheels are preferably journaled in brackets S, dependingfrom the lower side of the frame 2 and the inner bearings orbrackets andslightly depressed, so as to incline the tops of the wheels inwardly,Between these wheels may be placed chairs for ladies and small children.

The numeral 9 designates two depending hangers secured to the lower sideof the bars comprising the annular frame and reaching to within ashortdistance of the grooved track. In the lower ends of'these hangers ispivoted a bent lever 10, the short arm of which carries a shoe 12, whichis adapted to engage with the groove of the circular track. The -longarm of the lever extends upwardly and has secured to it a chain 13. Theother end of this chain is secured to a small drum 14, journaled inbearings 15 on the frame 2, and is provided with an operating-crank 16and a ratchet 17 and, with the ratchet, engages a pawl 18, pivoted toframe The shoe 12 consists of a rectangular block having formed upon itsunder side a curved rib corresponding in shape and size with the groovein the circular track. Vhen the shoe is depressed by means of the lever,the rib will be forced laterally outward, as well as downward, thusclosely hugging the groove. The projecting sides of the plate will Valsopress against the surface of the track, increasing the frictiontherebetween and effectually braking the device. l

The operation will be readily understood. Power is applied to wheels bythe person mounted thereon, through the medium ofthe cranks andtreadles, in the manner of an ordinary bicycle. This causes the wheelsto revolve, carrying with them the annular frame, which is thus causedto travel in a circle, the wheels being guided by the grooved rail. Whenit is desired to apply the brake, the crank 1G is turned, winding chain13 upon ICO the drum 14. This actuates the long arm of lever 10, causingthe short arm thereof to be depressed and the shoe l2 to engage with thegroove in the rail and by frictional contact therewith cause theapparatus to stop.

From the above it will be seen that thereis no central bearing or radialarms, which are necessary in the ordinary carrousels operated bygearing.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is- The combination,with the circular grooved track, theV annular frame consisting of theinner and outer bars braced together, and the wheels journaled in saidframe, having their inner bearings depressed, so as to incline thewheels inwardly, of the brake mechanism consisting of the dependinghangers, the lever pivoted therein, the rectangular shoe having a curvedrib formed on its under side adapted to engage With the groove in thecircular track secured to Athe short arm of said lever, the chainsecured to the long arms of said lever, the drum, the operating-crank,and the ratchet l and pawls, substantially as described.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own I have hereuntoaffixed my signature in presence of two Witnesses.

. VICTOR PETER.

Witnesses:

J. C. HILL, G. A. HILL.

